MANCHESTER UNIT

Evening Star, Issue 22573, 15 February 1937, Page 6

MANCHESTER UNIT

N.G. Bro. D. Maclaren presided over a good attendance of officers and. membe s at the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Prince of Wales juodge, when the elective officers provided the programme for the evening. This took the form of a progressive trump whist competition, and after a close contest G.M. Bro. W. Parker secured first honours, 'Bro. F. Fordham being second. A vote of thanks was accorded the officers for a pleasant evening. A letter was received from P.G. Bro. Jas. H. Gray, of Wellington, acknowledging the congratulations sent to him on the occasion of his golden wedding. The secretary reported that a contingent _ of Hand and Heart members would visit the lodge at the next meeting, when the evening would be devoted ta indoor bowls. Tho auditor’s report and balance sheet revealed a very satisfactory state of the various funds. The sick and funeral fund showed an increase of £987, and now stands at £15,916. The sickness experience has again proved very light, only £269 being paid for the year—an average of 17s per member. The management fund showed an increase of £SO. The membership showed a small increase for the year. The Management Committee reported that the juvenile branch would reopen on March 1. A record number of new entrants was secured during a most successful year, the average attendance being 80 per cent.; the lodge winning the district membership shield. A series of lectures on interesting subject:: is being arranged for the year, including a world travel talk by P.P.G.M. Bro. G. H. Clarke. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge was held in the M.U. Hall, N.G. Bro. R. Philip presiding over a good attendance of brethren. After a short ■> business meeting, during which two candidates were initiated, the meeting was adjourned to allow P.P.G.M. Bro. G. H. J. Clarke, who has recently returned from » tour of the Old Country, to give a talk on his trip. Bro. Clarke briefly outlined the various points of touched on the outward journey, including Rarotonga, Tahiti, San Francisco, a trip to the ‘wYosemite Reserve, and thence to Vancouver, Banff, and across to Montreal, then from Quebec to Liverpool. Bro. Clarke tourned by car from England to Scotland, visiting many well-known places. A short trip to Ireland included Dublin, Limerick, Killarney, and several other beauty spots. On returning to England Bro. Clarke paid a visit to Belgium. 'The return journey to New Zealand was made via Suez and Colombo. At the conclusion of his talk he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The Loyal Middlemarch Lodge hold its monthly meeting, when N.G. Sister E. R. Robertson presided over a full attendance of officers and members. Advice was received that the district officers would visit the lodge on February 20, and it was decided to hlod a dance. The Loyal Dunedin Lodge met in the M.U. Hall, N.G. Bro. A. M‘Dougall presiding. Notification of the annual meeting of delegates to be held in the Loyal Albion Lodge room on April 10 was received from the provincial correspondence secretary, the letter asking for the appointment of delegates from tho lodge. One candidate was initiated, and two members grunted letters of recommendation. P.P.G.M. Bro. J. D. Cameron announced that the annual initiation competition for lodges in the city area would be held on March 20 at Dunedin. The southern area competition had been fixed for May 1 at Milton. Bro. Cameron also stated the first series of a trump whist tournament for prizes donated by himself and P.G.s would commence next lodge night. Following business the meeting adjourned to entertain the ladies. A progressive euchre tournament was held, first prize for ladies going to Mrs Grant, Bro. F. R. Darling winning tho men’s trophy. Tho district officers will make their triennial tour of lodges in the central area this week, returning to Dunedin on Sunday.